Community Dreamer Fund

An assistance fund for undocumented, DACA and asylum-seeking high school and Post Secondary students in Larimer County

purpose

The Community Dreamer Fund's purpose is to provide emergency assistance to undocumented, DACA and asylum-seeking high school and post-secondary students in Larimer County so that they can overcome financial obstacles, stay in school, and complete their education. We provide emergency funds for expenses that might derail studies and prevent students from completing their degrees. In the past, the students we serve requested support for rent, food, legal fees, DACA application fees and renewals, school tuition, school supplies, medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and computer needs (new or repairs). During the 2023-24 school year, the Community Dreamer Fund approved 39 applications from 22 students and distributed over $32,000 in emergency funds.

Receiving this fund is much more than just getting funds to pay rent and other living expenses. This fund gives hope to undocumented students that there is still good in this world. There is not many that give funds away for students and I’m very lucky to be able to have a such supporting community. Without it, my college career would be over. For that I’m forever thankful and this just fuels me to do better and continue to be the best version of myself.

— Undocumented CSU Student

history

The Community Dreamer Fund was established when the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration policy was rescinded by the Trump Administration in 2017. DACA had allowed young immigrants who were brought to the United States as children to apply for work authorization and for temporary protection from deportation, provided they were under 16 when they arrived, lived continuously in the U.S. before 2007, and renewed their DACA status every two-years. When DACA was rescinded, thousands of young people were suddenly unauthorized to live or work legally in the U.S., and, through no fault of their own, many immigrant students in Larimer County lost their jobs and were forced into a financial crisis. Under these dire circumstances, a group of students from Colorado State University approached their advisor, who was a member of Sojourn Mennonite Church, asking for her help. Together, and with the backing of the church, they established a funding pool to which undocumented, DACA, and asylum-seeking high school and post-secondary students could apply to cover emergency expenses, allowing them to remain enrolled in school and complete their educational goals.

today’s challenges

The immigration landscape facing current high school and post-secondary students has deteriorated. Since the Trump administration improperly terminated DACA in 2017, the unending legal challenges to the DACA program have resulted in new applications only being accepted for eight months (Dec 2020 to July 2021) over the last seven years. Thus, most undocumented students attending high school or college no longer have DACA protections, which include safety from deportation and work eligibility.

The ramifications are extensive and affect every aspect of students’ wellbeing. Most students are no longer able to seek employment to pay for the many expenses associated with pursuing a degree, and usual financial resources, such as student loans, are not accessible. This is compounded by the fact that students have few resources available to them. Many Larimer County organizations have seen a decrease in funding since the pandemic years, resulting in more stringent requirements for less assistance. This leaves students vulnerable to eviction when they cannot pay rent in a community facing a housing affordability crisis. Increased food prices from inflation further strain students’ budgets. The list of consequences goes on. The Community Dreamer Fund is one of the few places where undocumented students can turn to for support.

Please join us in supporting undocumented, DACA and asylum-seeking students today!